Two-piece self-closing closure device



April 8, 1947. R. NYDEN TWO-PIECE SELF-CLOSING CLOSURE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 13, 1939 INVENTOR Raerf V den ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 1947 TWO-PIECE SELF-CLOSING CLOSURE DEVICE Robert Nyden, Manhasset, N. Y.

Continuation of application Serial No. 308,900, December 13, 1939. This application July 21, 1942, Serial No. 451,740

14 Claims.

This invention relates to closure devices of the dispensing type for containers and particularly to devices that are capable of self-closing when released of the force for opening the same in dispensing small quantities of the contents of a container of which the device is a complementary part, and is a continuation of my co-pending application Serial No. 308,900 filed December 13, 1939.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a two-piece self-closing closure device in which one member on being manually moved relative to the other member for opening the device will create a component of forces inherent within the two members, which forces will be sufficient to automatically return the movable member to closed position when released of the opening force.

A further object is to provide a closure device of the above nature including an outlet or head member having a discharge orifice and a generally rounded closed end and a lid or closure member pivotally engaged to the side walls of said outlet member and designed to operate over said rounded end in moving between open and closed positions, the construction and the arrangement of the members being such that the closure member coacts with said outlet member upon opening movement to create a progressively increasing tensioning stress between said members of a force sufilcient to automatically close the closure member when released of the opening force.

Another object is to provide a closure device in accordance'with the above general construction in which the closure member is pivotally engaged to the side portion of the outlet or head member in such a manner that in normal closed position a portion of the closure member is stressed to create a constant tensioning efiect for the purpose of yieldingly retaining the closure member in closed position and also effect a tight seal over the discharge orifice, and further which tensioning effect is conducive in effecting a wiping action throughout the entire closing stroke of the closure member to clean off any excessive material lodged about the discharge orifice.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear.

. In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a container having attached thereto my improved dispensing device compressing an outlet member and an outlet closure means applied thereto and showing the latter in outlet-closed position.

Fig. 2 is a view looking at the left of the upper portion of Fig. 1 and showing the outlet closure means in outlet-open position.

Fig. 3 is a view looking at the right of the upper portion of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 and showing the outlet closure member in outlet-closed position.

Fig. 5 is a view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 showing the outlet closure member in outletopen position.

Fig. 6 is a view looking at the top of the container and showing the outlet closure member in outlet-open position.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the outlet closure member.

.Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing a container provided with a modified embodiment of the dispensing device comprising the outlet member and outlet closure member and showing the latter in outlet-closed position.

Fig. 9 is a view looking at the left of the upper portion of Fig. 8 but with the closure member in outlet-open position.

Fig. 10 is a view looking at the right of the upper portion of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line ll-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on the line l2--l2 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 13 is a view looking at the top of the container and showing the outlet closure member in outlet-open position; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective View of the outlet closure member, per se, shown in Figs. 8 to 13, inclusive.

In carrying out the embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive, there is provided a head or outlet member in the form of a hollow sheet metal shell or body secured at its open end by a flanged port on IE to the wall surrounding an opening in the crown portion of a cover B such as used for closing the open end of containers generally indicated by letter A. While the outlet member is shown as constructed independently of and secured to the cover of a contaner, it may be constructed integral with an end of the container or the cover.

The end or upper wall portion of the outlet member is formed into an exterior arcuate or convex surface l6 arranged in an arc of a circle whose center lies in the longitudinal or vertical center of the outlet member, said surface inter secting and equal portions thereof disposed at opposite sides of said longitudinal center. An outlet orifice l1 opens through the convex surface It to one side of said center of the outlet member, said orifice being of less width than said surface It, as shown in Fig. 6. The convex end surface It merges at its opposite ends as indicated at 1'5 with wall portions having an exterior arcuate or convex surfaces l8 arranged in arcs of circles having a longer radius than the convex surface It and whose. centers coincide and also lie in the longitudinal or vertical center of the outlet member, and said surfaces l8 merging with opposed parallel exterior surfaces l-9-extending perpendicularly to thersecuring flange: I". The wall surfaces It, I8 and l-9 are of a width less than the space between parallelly extending portions 28 of the side walls, and merge therewith by a bevelled or inclined portion 2b; as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and'6.

The closure-member comprises a lid-or cover of resilient material having a portion 2! formed at one end ina true are of a circle, arranged concentrically of the convex surface it of the outlet member and serving to cover the general area of the convex surface 16 on the side of the outlet orifice Ii. The true arcuate portion 2! merges into anarcuate portion 22 which isa developed surface not conforming to a true arc of a circle and arranged to be gradually relieved from the convex surface l6 (see Fig. 4. as it cxtends thereover in an eccentric manner. The developed portion 22 in turn merge with a portion 23 extending ina plane substantially tangential tosaid developed portion22, but with an inwardly depressed or reentrant angular section 23 disposed therebetween. The crown end of the interior surface of the angular section 2% lies in a cylindrical plane common to the interior surface of the arcuate portions 2i of the closure lid, iftheoretica-lly extended to that portion, for

purposes hereinafter described. The lower extremity of thep'ortion- 23' is flanged outwardly to provide a finger engaging member 24, by means of which the device is manualy operated.

The closure lid is mounted on theoutlet or head member to have pivotal movement on a transverse axis coincident with the center from which the convex surfaces l8 of the closure lid are struck. For this purpose the closure lid is arranged with' arms 25, preferably constructed integrally therewith, extend ng radially inward from opposite sides of the end portion 23, and said arms are pivotally mounted on the opposite side walls 26 of the outlet member on an axis coincident with the center-of the convex'surfaces I8. The pivot connections are provided by depressing the material of the free end of the arms 25 inwardly to produce opposed trunnions 26 wh ch are adapted to be removably snapped and to pivotally engage in complementary recesses or sockets 26' formed in the Side walls 26 of the head member, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The portion 23 and integral arms 25 are reinforced by-stamping a longitudinal rib 2i outwardly at an intermediate portion thereof, as best shown in Fig. 7.

The fact that the rib 2! extends longitud nally through the porton 23' and the finger engaging member 24 is formed angularly outwardly from its longer ed'ge strengthens said portion 23 against any tendency to bend, and further the fact that the rib 2-1 is co-extensive with portions of'the legs 25 stiffens the legs and gives to them a higher degree ofresiliency so as to preclude their trunnions 26 becoming easily disengaged from their respective sockets 26.

The closure lid in its normal state when removed from the outlet head is constructed so that the distance between the axis of the arm trunnions 28 and the inner surface of the portion 23 is substantially equal to the radius of the convex surfaces i8, and the distance between the trunnions 25 and the inner surface of the arcuate portion 2| is substantially less than the distance between the axis of the pivot sockets 2-6 and the convex surface it of the outlet head. By this arrangement, when the closure lid is assembled upon the outlet head as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 with the arcuate portion 21 covering the outlet orifice ii and the trunnions 26 engaging in sockets 25', the arcuate portions 2! and 22 are consequently forced or sprung out from their normal set position relative to the closure lid with the crown surface. of the angular section 23' engaging the surface it and serving more-or less as a fulcrum point. Thus it will be evident that the portion 2.l will constantly be disposed under a resilient tension to yieldingly' urge thesame into engagement with the convex surface it for the purpose of affording a good seal for the outlet orifice and also maintaining the .010- sure lid in a firmly closed state when not in use.v It will be further apparent from the above arrangement that during-opening movement of the closure lid, the free end portion?! tends tomove in an arc of a circle having a longer radius thanthe radius of the convex surface I5, but due to. the fact that the portion 21 is forced to ride on cam over" said surface it the closure member: is further subjected to a progressively increasing tensioning stress which is additiveto theforce.

affected by the assembly of said members, and:

the co-action. between which members create av component of. forces reacting to automatically return the closuremember to normal closed position when released of the opening force.

To actuate theclosure member or lid'to outlet orifice opening. position, manualpressure is applied to the outwardly extending flange 24 moving the closure lid in a clock-wise direction as viewed in Figs. 1, 4 and 5 to full open position with said fiangeZi engaging attaching flange I5 as a stop and thereby uncovering the arcuate portion 2| from the outlet orifice ii, it being necessary to hold the lid open against the opposing forces inherent within the lid during the time required to dispense the desired amount of the container contents through the orifice l1. When manual pressure is released from the operating flange 24 the closure lid will, of course, return in counter-clockwise direction to closed position, and said lid is limited in return movement by the crown surface of the angular section 23' abutting against the adjacent portion of the convex sur- It will be further face it as a positive stop. apparent from Fig. 5 that the relative position of the closure lid convex portion 2! to the convex surface It of the head during closing movement is'such that the free end thereof is yieldingly urged into engagement with the said surface I6 and scrapes off therefrom any material which may adhere thereto around the outlet orifice IT.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 8 to 14, inclusive, functions in the same manner as the embodiment of Figs. 1 to '7, inclusive, in that the outlet member and closure member or lid are arranged to cooperate with I each other during opening movement to exerta progressively increasing tensioning stress on the closure lid and a resultant component of forces that serves to return the lid to normal closed position when relieved of the force for opening the same, and said lid is also stressed to constantly retain said lid in closed position against an accidental opening force and assure a good seal for the outlet orifice.

The outlet or head member comprises a sheet metal shell formed with free marginal portions flanged outwardly and arranged in circular form and secured to the wall bounding an opening in a container or a cover therefor by clamping the flange thereto, the same as in the arrangement of Figs. 1 to 7, as shown at l5.

The exterior surface 29 of the upper portion of the head member is of arcuate or convex form arranged in an arc of a circle the center of which lies in the longitudinal or vertical center of the head member with portions of said surface disposed at opposite sides thereof. One end of said arcuate surface 29, the end at the left as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, merges with an inwardly arcuate or concave surface 30 having an outlet orifice 3| opening therethrough. The lower end of surface 39 in turn merges with a convex surface 29' arranged in an arc of a circle having the same radius as the convex surface 29. The convex surfaces 29, 29 extend to a point in line with the center from which said surfaces are struck and merge with surfaces 32 extending parallelly of the longitudinal center of the outlet member to the flange [5.

The closure member or lid is constructed of resilient material and has an arcuate or convex portion 33 normally arranged concentrically of the convex surface 29 of the outlet member. The portion 33 integrally connects with a concave portion or sealing plate 34 at one end of the closure lid conforming in shape to the concave surface 30 of the outlet member. The portion at the opposite end of the convex portion 33 is flanged outwardly and arranged as a finger or manual engaging member 35. The closure lid is mounted u on the outlet member to have pivotal movement on a transverse axis relative thereto for opening and closing the device. For thi purpose arms 36 extend radially inward from the proximal end of the closure lid adjacent the flange 35 and pivotally engage on the opposite side walls 20 of the outlet member. The arms 35 are adapted to have pivotal movement on an axis coincident with the axis of the convex surface 29, and which pivots are provided by forming in the free ends of said arms 35 trunnions 3! adapted to engage in complementary recesses or sockets 3'! depressed in the side walls 2!! of the outlet member. The arms 35 and the portion of the closure lid from wh ch they extend are provided with an outwardly stamped reinforcing rib 36'. Similar to the first form described, the wall surfaces 29, 3B and 32 of the outlet member preferably of less width than the distance between the side walls Zll and are joined ,thereto by the bevelled or inclined wall portions gul- In order to effect the self-closing feature for the closure lid and maintain the same in yieldingly firm closed position upon the outlet head, the lid is so constructed that in its normal state when removed from the outlet head the distance between the axis of the arm trunnions 31 and the inner surface of the sealing plate 34 is less than the distance between the axis of the side wall sockets 31' and the outer concave surface f30 of the outlet member. By this arrangement when the outlet member and closure lid are assembled the latter is distorted out of its normal set position and consequently setting up stresses in the closure lid that serve to constantly urge the sealing plate 34 to seat in the concave surface til of the outlet member for sealing the outlet orifice 3|.

In order to impart further tensioning stresses to the closure lid during its opening movement, a pair of opposed parallel guide ribs 38 are formed upwardly from the opposite edges of the arcuate surface 29, which ribs extend from the juncture of the surface 29 with the concave surface 30 a considerable distance over the face of surface 29 in the opposite direction. The ends of the ribs adjacent the concave surface 30 designated as 39 are substantially tangential to the surface at the juncture of the convex surface 29 with the concave surface 3!), and said rib ends 39 act as cam surfaces in a manner as will appear later. The ribs 38 incidentally serve as guide means for the intermediate portion 33 of the closure lid when the latter is returning to normal closed position, and further said ribs 38 also serve to protect the closure lid should the container be accidentally dropped upon its head.

As best shown in Fig. 14 the sealing plate 34 is considerably wider than the intermediate portion 33 of the closure lid, thus providing projections that are adapted to ride over the cam ends 39 and upon the ribs 38 during the opening movement of the closure lid. (See Fig. 12.) Due to the relative differences in dimensions between the co-acting portions of the closure lid and outlet member, as explained above, it will be apparent that additional tensional stresses are exerted to the closure lid during its opening movement other than those previously mentioned, which stresses in combination with the cooperative relationship of the members result in creating a component of forces that operate to automatically return the closure lid to normal closed position when relieved from the manual opening force. The opening movement of the closure lid similar to the first form is limited by the manual engaging flange engaging with the attaching flange E5 of the outlet member.

It will be apparent that both forms of this invention as here illustrated are characterized by locating the pivots on the shell or head member about which the lid member moves at apoint closer to the outlet opening than it is to the portion of the surface engaged by the cover member when moved to expose the opening, but it is to be also understood that other arrangements might be resorted to wherein the crux of theinvention resides particularly in providing a two-piece pivoting closure device in which the closure member is a sheet metal stamping made of resilient material having portions thereof stressed coincident with the opening movement due to cooperative engagement with the head member resulting in a force that will react to return the closure member to closed position.

This dispensing device as embodied in two forms is applicable for use in connection with containers for dispensing pulverulent materials, such as tooth powder, or talcum and dusting powders and when used for the latter purpose a series of perforations may be substituted for the outlet orifice, and further the device is also applicable for use with containers for dispensing semiliquid substances, such as tooth pasteand shaving cream. l

Iclaim:

1..A container closure comprising a head shell provided with an outlet orifice and an outer arcuatesurface extending above said orifice, aclosure member of resilient material and having a portion conforming to said arcuate surface, arms extending radially inward from opposite side edges of said member and pivotally engaging on opposite sides of said shell, said pivotal engagement-of the arms with the shell being positioned relative to said arcuate surface to tend to move theclosure member during opening movement in an arc having a longer radius than said arcuate surface whereby the closure member is caused to cooperate with said arcuate surface and subject said closure member to a tensioning stress reacting to impartreturnmovement to the closure member to its normal closed position.

2. A'container closure comprising a head member-provided with an outlet orifice and an outer arcuate surface, a closure member of resilient material and having a portion conforming to said arcuate surface, arms extending radially from said closure member and having pivotal engagement onpopposite sides of said head member, the pivots of said arms bein arranged relative to said arcuate surface such that upon application of an opening force said closure member will tend to move in an arc of a circle having a longer radius than the radius of said arcuate surface and to u cooperate with said arcuate surface and be subjectedtoa progressively increasing tensioning stress; reacting. to move the closure member to closed position when released of said opening force and to yieldingly retain said closure member in closed position.

3. In a closure for containers, a head member having an arcuate closure seat with an outlet orifice therein, a closure member having an arcuate resilient portion conforming to said closure seat, arms extending from said closure member-and having pivotal engagement with the side walls of said head member to permit relative movement of said closure member over said closure seat, said pivotal engagement of the closure member with the head member being arranged to cause cooperative action between the closure and head members whereby the resilient portion of said closure member during its opening, movement is subjected to a tensioning stress thus creating a force sulficient to automatically move the closure member to normal closed position when released from the opening force.

4. In a closure for containers, a head member having an arcuate closure seat with an outlet orifice therein, a closure member having an arcuate resilient portion conforming to said closure seat, arms extending from said closure member and having pivotal engagement with the side walls of said head member to permit relative movement of said closure member over said closure seat, said pivotal engagement of the closure member with the head member being arranged to cause cooperative action between the closure and head members whereby the resilient portion of said closure member during its opening movement is subjected to a progressively increasing tensioning stress thus creating-a force suificient to automatically move the closure member to normal closed position when released from the opening force, and further means for maintaining said resilient portion of said closure member in a state of constant tension over said orifice during 'c1'osedposition..

5. In a closure for containers, a head member having an-outer arcuatesurface and an. outlet orifice therein. a closuremember ofresilient material and having an arcuate portion conforming to said arcuate surface and normally covering said outlet orifice, arms extending radially and parallelly from the opposite side edges at: an end of said closure member and pivotally engaging opposite side wall portions of the head member to permit the arcuate portion of the closure member to move relative to said arcuate surface, the pivotal engagement of the arms of-the closure member with the head member being arranged to cause the arcuate portion of the closure member to cooperate with the arcuate surface of the head member in such a manner as to subject the-closure member during its opening movement toia tensioning stress acting to automatically move. the closure member to closed position when released of the opening force, and means effecting a' constant tensioning stress between the arcuateportion of the closure member and the arcuatesure face over the outlet orifice during normal closed position.

6. In a closure for containers, a headmember having an outer arcuate surface at the end-the center of which lies in the longitudinal center of the head member and having anorifice therein at one side of the longitudinal center of the head member, a closure member of resilient material and arranged in an arc of a circle havingaradius substantially equal to the radius of the arcuate end surface and having arms extending radially inward from the opposite side edges at one end thereof, said arms having pivot and socket connections with the opposite sides of said headmemher on an axis intersecting the longitudinal center of the head memberand said arms extending radiall to one side of said longitudinal center opposite the orifice, said closure member being. of a length to extend from the arms to thatside of the longitudinal center of the head member having the outlet orifice therein and adaptedto be disposed on that side of the longitudinal center of the head member in all positions of saidclosure member, and said pivotal engagement of the arms with the head member being. arranged to cause said closure member duringopening movement to cam over saidarcuate surface. and subject said closure member to a tensioning stress in all positions resulting in a force reacting to move said closure member to closed position.

7. In a closure for containers, a head member provided with an outlet orifice and having a-closure seat, a closure member having a resilientportion conforming to said closure seat and normally covering said orifice, arms extending from said closure member and having pivotal engagement with the sides of said head member to permit relative movement of said closure member over said closure seat, the pivot axis being. arranged relative to said closure seatso that upon'assembly of said closure member on said head memberthe resilient portion is flexed out of its normalset position to createa force constantly tending to retain said closure member in closed position and yieldingly urge said resilient portion againstsaid closure seat over said orifice.

, 8. In a closure for containers, a head member having an arcuate closure seat with, an; outlet orifice therein, a closure member having aresilient portion conforming to said closure seat and extending from an integral reinforced portion at one end of said resilient portion, radial arms extend?- ing from opposite ends of said reinforced portion, the, freeendsof said arms having, pivotal engagement with the sides of said head member to permit relative movement of said closure memher over said closure seat, the means for reinforcing said portion being co-extensive with a portion of said arms to give added strength and a higher degree of resiliency thereto and assure a better pivotal engagement between the arms and head member, the pivot axis being arranged relative to said closure seat such that upon the assembly of said closure member on said head member the resilient portion thereof is flexed out of its normal set position to create a force constantly tending to retain said closure member in closed position and yieldingly urge said resilient portion against said closure seat over said orifice.

9. A closure for containers as claimed in claim 8 wherein the closure member is provided with a reentrant angular section defining an inwardly disposed transverse rib positioned substantially at the juncture of said resilient portion and reinforced portion with its inner surface contacting said closure seat as a stop for the return movement of said closure member.

10. In a closure for containers, a head shell having a convex surface at the end intersecting the longitudinal center of the shell and a concave closure seat at one end of said convex surface having an outlet orifice therein, a closure member of resilient material and having an arcuate portion at one end conforming in shape to the concave closure seat of the shell and adapted to engage therewith to close the outlet orifice, said member having an arcuate portion extending from and curved reversely to said arcuate end portion and adapted to be disposed concentrically of the convex surface of the shell, arms extending inward from the opposite side edges of said closure member at the end opposite the arcuate outlet orifice closing portion for pivotall engaging opposite sides of the shell on an axis coincident with the center of the convex end surface of said shell, means on the closure member to permit manual opening operation, and further means on the shell engaged by the closure member during opening movement operative to subject the closure member to a tensioning stress creating a force capable of automatically moving said member to normal closed position when released of the opening force.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10 wherein the means on the shell engaged by the closure member in the outlet orifice openin movement thereof and operative to place the closure member under a tensioning stress, comprises guides at the opposite sides of and projecting from the convex face of the outlet member and having ends adjacent the concave surface of the shell that serve as cam surfaces over which said closure member is adapted to ride and effect a tensioning stress during the opening movement thereof.

12. A two-piece self-closing container closure movement of said closure member causes the recomprising a head member having a rounded end and a discharge orifice, a closure member conforming substantially to said rounded end and having a resilient portion for normally covering said discharge orifice, said closure member having pivotal engagement with the side walls of said head member for operating over said rounded end, and means inherent within the construction and relative arrangement of said members to produce upon the opening movement of said closure member a tensioning stress within its resilient portion of a force sufiicient to automati cally return said closure member to normal discharge orifice closing position when released from the opening force.

13. A two-piece self-closing container closure comprising a head member having a rounded end and a discharge opening on one side of said end, a closure member havin a resilient portion for normally covering said discharge opening and conforming substantially to said rounded end, said closure member having pivotal engagement on an axis transverse to said head member and eccentric to said rounded end whereby opening silient portion thereof to cam over said rounded end and be flexed out of its normal set position and create a force sufficient to automatically return said closure member to normal closed position when released from the opening force.

14. A self-closing discharge device comprising a shell with a discharge opening therein, a closure member having resilient means thereon engaging the shell and movable into and out of position to close said discharge opening, and pivot means connecting the closure member to said shell, the surface of said shell engaged by the resilient means on said closure member when said member is moved to expose said opening being spaced a greater distance from said pivot means than that portion of said shell adjacent said opening so that movement of the closure member to expose said opening serves to displace and stress said resilient means and cause said means to urge the closure member toward its closing position.

ROBERT NYDEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 920,227 Webster May 4, 1909 1,331,547 Weber Feb. 24, 1920 1,954,717 Strang Apr. 10, 1934 1,770,464 Donnelly et al July 15, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 152,741 Swiss Feb. 15, 1932 

